2023 Devinci E-Troy
Wheel Size: 29” front / 27’’ rear
Travel: 150 mm rear / 160 mm or 170 mm front
Geometry Highlights:
- Sizes offered: S, M, L, XL
- Headtube angle: 63.5°
- Seat tube angle: 78.5°
- Reach: 485 mm (Size Large)
- Chainstay length: 438 mm (all sizes)
Material: Aluminum
Price: Complete bikes $6,399 to $7,999
Intro
Devinci’s new E-Troy gets a mullet, a Canadian-made frame, and a new drive system. In other words, it’s more than a refresh; combined with revised geometry, their electrified Trail bike has gotten a complete redesign. We have one on the way for review and are excited to see how it stacks up against the current crop of full-power e-MTBs.
The Frame
The new E-Troy frame uses the same 6061-T6 aluminum as the outgoing model but now will be manufactured in Canada instead of Asia. It is a dedicated mixed-wheel-size frame, with 150 mm of rear travel paired with either a 160 or 170 mm-travel fork, with suspension kinematics that Devinci says have been optimized for e-MTB use, though the finer points of what that entails aren’t stated. The E-Troy utilizes a revised version of Devinci’s typical Split Pivot suspension design; the rocker link is in a similar position as on the outgoing bike, but the shock is now mounted vertically to the motor cradle, instead of horizontally to the top tube. Devinci hasn’t provided any suspension graphs, or numbers for that matter, so we can’t comment on the suspension details other than the obvious layout changes.
There are bottle mounts on the downtube, which also double as the range extender mount mounts (optional, sold separately). High-density rubber is used for frame protection in the usual places. Enduro double-lip sealed bearings handle the articulating suspension parts. Cables are internally routed. It utilizes SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger, and will also come equipped with a chain guide.
Drive System
Devinci has decided to go with the Bosch Performance Line CX for this iteration of the E-Troy, instead of the Shimano EP8 system of the prior generation. Having spent a considerable amount of time on Shimano and Bosch systems, we can’t say we have a clear favorite — the two just have different characteristics in power delivery, with pros and cons to both.
All three models in the E-Troy lineup will come with Bosch’s 625 Wh battery. While the 625 Wh battery will most likely be adequate for most riders, it will definitely require more care to manage assist levels on longer rides. Bosch does make a 750 Wh battery, and we’ve seen other brands design the battery compartment to fit that larger one, and then utilize a spacer on the 625 Wh battery to fit the larger compartment, making an upgrade path to the larger battery possible. Although the battery is easily removable, Devinci has not taken this approach.
Now, with all that battery capacity talk, there is one bit of notable Bosch battery news, and that is the newly released Powermore 250 range extender. This is the first range extender offered by Bosch, and we speculate it probably contributed to Devinci’s battery spec decision. The range extender is water bottle sized and adds a healthy 250 Wh to the mix, and when coupled with the 625 Wh battery, capacity jumps to a massive 875 Wh.
The top-spec E-Troy LTD model comes equipped with Bosch’s integrated Smart System Top Tube Control Center. The Control Center displays basic information like assist levels and battery power, with assist levels controlled by both the Control Center and the handlebar-mounted Bluetooth remote. The E-Troy GX model does not get the integrated top tube Control Center and instead will get the more familiar handlebar-mounted Kiox display. The same goes for the E-Troy Deore build, except the Kiox display gets downgraded to a Purion one.
All three displays are part of Bosch’s Smart System integration and are compatible with Bosch’s excellent eBike flow app, which provides tons of data, allows for system customization, and can also enable a smartphone to be used as a display. Interestingly, the Kiox and Purion displays both offer more information, like battery percentage and speed for example, than the top tube Control Center — but then again the top tube display is all about the integrated minimalist design and an uncluttered handlebar.
Fit & Geometry
The new E-Troy will be available in four sizes from Small to XL, which Devinci says covers riders from 160 cm to 190 cm (5’2’’ to 6’5’’). Devinci gave the E-Troy the typical slacker head angle and steeper seat tube angle treatment, coming in at 63.5º and 78.5º respectively. However, in a reversal of the norm, the new bike didn’t get longer but instead is 5 mm shorter in reach than the previous model for sizes Large and XL — 485 mm for a size Large versus 490 mm, and 505 mm down from 510 mm for the XL. We think shortening the reach on the Large and XL puts it in a range that will appeal to more riders. Small and Mediums retain the same reach numbers. The chainstays on the new E-Troy are dramatically shorter, shrinking from 455 mm down to 438 mm. Stack height is a wee bit lower than we typically prefer, but of course, a higher rise handlebar can help with that dimension.
The stated geometry numbers are with a 160 mm travel fork; a separate chart for the LTD build with the 170 mm fork isn’t stated, but it will, of course, slacken the angles and raise the front end a touch. At 63.5º with the shorter fork the head angle is already one of the slackest in this category. Throw the short 438 mm chainstays into the mix, and we’ll be curious to see how that all adds up when it comes to handling characteristics.
The Builds
Devinci offers the E-Troy in three builds, ranging from $6,399 to $7,999. The E -Troy Deore build offers decent value, but definitely not the best we’ve seen. For comparison, a Marin Alpine Trail E2, also aluminum, is $100 less and has an XT/SLX drivetrain and a Fox 38 fork (though granted, the Marin is an exceptionally good value for the price). Given the choice, we absolutely prefer the Fox 38 over the Fox 36 for heavier eMTBs.
Moving up the range, the GX LTD and GX builds are very close to the same, with the exceptions being a 170mm-travel Fox 38 Performance Elite on the LTD (the GX build has the same fork but with 160 mm travel), and the integrated top tube Control Center. We have experience with Bosch’s integrated top tube display and really like its aesthetics and simplicity, along with the Bluetooth handlebar remote. Is it worth the $300 premium over the GX build? We think so, and for this reason, the GX LTD build gets our pick as the best of the bunch.
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12 Speed
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: 625 Wh
- Fork: Fox 36 Performance (160 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Brakes: Shimano MT420
- Wheels: Formula hubs with V2 Comp rims
- Dropper Post: Tranzx
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX 12 Speed
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: 625 Wh
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite (160 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Brakes: SRAM Code R
Wheels: RaceFace Affect R30 - Dropper Post: SDG Tellis
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX 12 Speed
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: 625 Wh
- Fork: Fox 38 Performance Elite (170 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Brakes: SRAM Code R
- Wheels: RaceFace Affect R30
- Dropper Post: SDG Tellis
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) With a battery range war going on, does Devinci have it right by going the opposite direction with the smaller battery, reducing weight and improving handling, while letting the available range extender shoulder the long-distance rides?
(2) How will the E-Troy compare to other alloy e-MTBs in this price and travel range?
3) The E-Troy has some fringe geometry numbers in the head angle and chainstay department for a mid-travel bike. How will the handling play out on trail?